They brought Adelaide new clothes! She wanted to put them all on at once =)
Froggy smelling the flowers at the garden
Adelaide loves to smell flowers!
20 April 2010
Pops and Grandma Te back for a visit!
We had a great weekend with Myles father and his wife - we call them Pops and Grandma Te! Some of these are from their camera, and some from ours, so sorry they are a bit out of order. There are so many of them - but Ming-te takes such great photo's I couldn't decide what to leave out!
They brought Adelaide new clothes! She wanted to put them all on at once =)
Froggy smelling the flowers at the garden
Adelaide loves to smell flowers!
They brought Adelaide new clothes! She wanted to put them all on at once =) Froggy smelling the flowers at the garden Adelaide loves to smell flowers!
New at this walking thing
Here is a video from April 13th of some of Adelaide's first steps. It's really fun to see how much she's grown in her walking ability! I still think she walks like E.T. though - so cute!!
19 April 2010
So many updates
I have a million pictures and videos of things I want to put up here. I really feel like I need to write though first. Adelaide has been growing up so fast all of a sudden and if I don't start writing more I'm never going to remember.
First I want to say that being her mother seems to be more and more busy...harder and harder. I used to be able to sit and write in this blog or do other work while Adelaide played by herself now and then. That no longer happens. My free time doesn't exist anymore. I know things will change again when she gets a little older. It's just hard to keep up with the things I want to do like work on my business or write in this blog.
Adelaide is walking a lot more now. She got new shoes and they have really helped her. She looks so much older to me. Her hair is much longer and fuller and so pretty with her silky curls. She also talks a lot. She never stops really. It's amazing how she communicates, she is so good at it.
Today she kept saying something over and over and I couldn't figure out what she was saying....so after a minute she then said "too too" and then the other word again...and I figured out she was saying "buddy". Buddy and too too are our neighbors dogs!!!! When she knew I couldn't understand her saying buddy...she KNEW to say too too to help describe what she was saying!
Another amazing thing she did today was when I pulled out a onsie that had been put away all winter. I know it's been at least 3-4 months since she has seen this little onsie, but as soon as she saw the sleeve she said "butterfly". Sure enough there was a butterfly on the front, where I'm SURE she didn't see for months. We never pointed out the butterfly before, I don't think she could even talk before...but somehow she remembered that butterfly on the shirt and knew the word for it this time...and also made the connection that what was on the shirt in her memory was the same as other butterfly's she has seen since. That amazed me too. It makes me wonder about all of the little pictures she has in her mind....and when she learns all of these new words if she goes back and puts the name with the memories she has of similar things. It makes me realize why it's so important to look at picture books with her, and also name all of the things we see out in the world. I know I'm always talking to her...and now she is always talking to me =)
She loves to sing. There are a few songs that she knows a word here and there, so I get to that part of the song and then stop singing and she sings the word. It is so precious. Her favorite songs right now are "the wheels on the bus" "Baby Beluga" and "hush little baby". She also still loves Peas, and also plain oatmeal and beans. She is more obsessed with riding the bike and wearing our helmets than anything else, and loves to see other bikes when we are out. She also gets excited to see the Bus as well as motorcycles. Yesterday someone started up their weed whacker next door and she said "motorcycle". So funny!
She loves our cats, and all of her stuffed animals. She kisses everything, from her dolls to herself in the mirror, and the other day the bottom of the bathtub after we drained it. She kisses her granny when we talk to her on Skype online. She kisses her helmet...she is always kissing something. She also likes to pretend to feed her bear. We put him in her highchair and she feeds him pretend food with her spoon. Tonight she was nursing her rubber ducky when she was taking a bath. Everything she does melts my heart. She is so nurturing and happy and full of love. She likes to sing to herself. She likes buckles and always trys to figure out how to buckle them. She can now buckle one of the parts of her car seat, so helps me with that when we get in the car. She likes the buckles on her stroller, highchair, helmet, any other highchair, shopping cart seats. OH - and now she is big enough to ride in the little car under the shopping cart...but our store only has like 3 of those carts...so today we had to follow someone around until they were done shopping and left so we could take their cart because Adelaide was SO EXCITED when she saw it that I felt bad not letting her ride in it. YES she has me wrapped around her finger, although I don't put up with her kicking or pinching. I try and be good at teaching her what's right and what's wrong.
She is totally her own little person and I love her so much. From the moment she wakes up in the morning, to the moment she snuggles next to me before bed....she is my little punkie and I just love her.
First I want to say that being her mother seems to be more and more busy...harder and harder. I used to be able to sit and write in this blog or do other work while Adelaide played by herself now and then. That no longer happens. My free time doesn't exist anymore. I know things will change again when she gets a little older. It's just hard to keep up with the things I want to do like work on my business or write in this blog.
Adelaide is walking a lot more now. She got new shoes and they have really helped her. She looks so much older to me. Her hair is much longer and fuller and so pretty with her silky curls. She also talks a lot. She never stops really. It's amazing how she communicates, she is so good at it.
Today she kept saying something over and over and I couldn't figure out what she was saying....so after a minute she then said "too too" and then the other word again...and I figured out she was saying "buddy". Buddy and too too are our neighbors dogs!!!! When she knew I couldn't understand her saying buddy...she KNEW to say too too to help describe what she was saying!
Another amazing thing she did today was when I pulled out a onsie that had been put away all winter. I know it's been at least 3-4 months since she has seen this little onsie, but as soon as she saw the sleeve she said "butterfly". Sure enough there was a butterfly on the front, where I'm SURE she didn't see for months. We never pointed out the butterfly before, I don't think she could even talk before...but somehow she remembered that butterfly on the shirt and knew the word for it this time...and also made the connection that what was on the shirt in her memory was the same as other butterfly's she has seen since. That amazed me too. It makes me wonder about all of the little pictures she has in her mind....and when she learns all of these new words if she goes back and puts the name with the memories she has of similar things. It makes me realize why it's so important to look at picture books with her, and also name all of the things we see out in the world. I know I'm always talking to her...and now she is always talking to me =)
She loves to sing. There are a few songs that she knows a word here and there, so I get to that part of the song and then stop singing and she sings the word. It is so precious. Her favorite songs right now are "the wheels on the bus" "Baby Beluga" and "hush little baby". She also still loves Peas, and also plain oatmeal and beans. She is more obsessed with riding the bike and wearing our helmets than anything else, and loves to see other bikes when we are out. She also gets excited to see the Bus as well as motorcycles. Yesterday someone started up their weed whacker next door and she said "motorcycle". So funny!
She loves our cats, and all of her stuffed animals. She kisses everything, from her dolls to herself in the mirror, and the other day the bottom of the bathtub after we drained it. She kisses her granny when we talk to her on Skype online. She kisses her helmet...she is always kissing something. She also likes to pretend to feed her bear. We put him in her highchair and she feeds him pretend food with her spoon. Tonight she was nursing her rubber ducky when she was taking a bath. Everything she does melts my heart. She is so nurturing and happy and full of love. She likes to sing to herself. She likes buckles and always trys to figure out how to buckle them. She can now buckle one of the parts of her car seat, so helps me with that when we get in the car. She likes the buckles on her stroller, highchair, helmet, any other highchair, shopping cart seats. OH - and now she is big enough to ride in the little car under the shopping cart...but our store only has like 3 of those carts...so today we had to follow someone around until they were done shopping and left so we could take their cart because Adelaide was SO EXCITED when she saw it that I felt bad not letting her ride in it. YES she has me wrapped around her finger, although I don't put up with her kicking or pinching. I try and be good at teaching her what's right and what's wrong.
She is totally her own little person and I love her so much. From the moment she wakes up in the morning, to the moment she snuggles next to me before bed....she is my little punkie and I just love her.
12 April 2010
Healthy Home Checklist
E W G A c t i o n F u n d ’ s H e a l t h y H o m e C h e c k l i s t
Check your house for common toxic chemicals and choose safer alternatives with this simple
checklist for less toxic living. Online resources: ewg.org/healthy-home-tips/checklist
KITCHEN
Do you cook with non-stick cookware? Replace with cast-iron, stainless steel, or glass
when possible. Stuck with it? Take care not to overheat it, which releases toxic fumes.
Do you use plastic food containers? We recommend glass over plastic. Never
microwave food in plastic containers. For baby, use glass or BPA-free plastic bottles.
Do you filter your tap water? Check EWG’s online tap water quality database for local
contaminants, then choose a filter that removes them, if needed.
Do you drink bottled water? Kick the habit. For water on-the-go, get a reusable water
bottle, like stainless steel (not plastic or aluminum lined with plastic).
Any canned food in the pantry? Cook with fresh or frozen whenever possible; most
food cans (including liquid infant formula) are lined with bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxic chemical
that leaches into the food.
Do you eat conventionally grown produce? Check EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to
Pesticides to be sure you buy organic when pesticide residues are highest.
Do you use iodized salt? You should. Iodine is necessary to maintain healthy thyroid
function.
Do you eat high-mercury fish? Ask before eating and head for the lower-mercury types
(especially for pregnant women and young children).
BATHROOM
Do you use air fresheners? Don’t! Most contain a number of toxic chemicals that
contaminate the air you breathe.
Is there fragrance in your personal care products? We don’t know what’s in
“fragrance,” so it’s safer to choose all fragrance-free personal-care products. Always check
ingredient lists to be sure.
What kind of toothpaste do you use? Choose fluoride-free for kids under 2 and teach
older kids to rinse and spit; fluoride is toxic if swallowed. Also, pick a paste without triclosan -
you’ll see it on the ingredient list.
Do you use liquid hand soap? If so, avoid anti-bacterials – the American Medical
Association recommends against using them at home.
What material is your shower curtain? Avoid vinyl shower curtains. If you get a new
curtain (whatever the material), leave it outside for several days before using.
Do you have extra products? Less is more. Skipping cosmetics like hair spray and
detangler, body sprays and powder is less toxic – and cheaper!
E W G A c t i o n F u n d ’ s H e a l t h y H o m e C h e c k l i s t ,
p a g e 2
ewg.org/healthy-home-tips/checklist
LAUNDRY & CLEANING CLOSET
Are your cleaners green? It’s hard to know without a full ingredient list, which most
products don’t have. Find out the ingredients by calling the manufacturer, avoid the toxic ones,
and choose green-certified products whenever possible.
Do your product labels list all ingredients? Most don’t, but they should. Support
companies that disclose all ingredients by buying their products – you have a right to know.
Do you need all those products? Most homes can be safely cleaned with a few nontoxic
ingredients: vinegar (it’s anti-bacterial), baking soda, water, a HEPA vacuum, microfiber
mops and cloths - and some elbow grease! Skip laundry products you don’t need, like dryer
sheets, fabric softener, and chlorine bleach.
ALL AROUND THE HOUSE
Was your home built before 1978? If so, it probably contains lead paint. When
repainting, use a wet sanding technique to reduce dust, choose low VOC paints and always
paint with the windows open for good ventilation. Keep kids away from rehab dust and loose
chips.
Got foam furniture? Foam products (like stuffed furniture and mattresses) are often
treated with toxic fire retardants, so keep them well-covered. Ask whether a product is
treated before you buy and choose naturally fire-resistant materials like cotton and wool,
when possible. Don’t “protect” your fabrics and carpets with sprayed on chemical coatings –
simply clean spills quickly.
Do you use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)? They contain mercury and
should be handled and disposed of with care. Use them where there’s no danger of breaking
near children; clean up broken bulbs quickly and safely.
Do you use pesticides or insecticides? Try non-toxic alternatives first; pesticides are a
last resort. If you choose to use them, store them out of reach of children. Organic gardening
is healthier for kids and pets, since they live closer to the ground.
Do you have a wood deck, picnic table or playground set? Those made before
2005 likely contain arsenic. Test to confirm and either replace with safer wood or reduce your
exposure by sealing it, replacing high-use areas and washing hands after touching, especially
before eating.
What materials are your kids’ toys made from? Top contaminants to avoid are:
lead paint, play make-up, cadmium and lead in play jewelry, and phthalates in soft plastics (like
teethers and rubber duckies). Choosing non-toxic toys for young kids is especially important
because so many end up in their mouths.
Check your house for common toxic chemicals and choose safer alternatives with this simple
checklist for less toxic living. Online resources: ewg.org/healthy-home-tips/checklist
KITCHEN
Do you cook with non-stick cookware? Replace with cast-iron, stainless steel, or glass
when possible. Stuck with it? Take care not to overheat it, which releases toxic fumes.
Do you use plastic food containers? We recommend glass over plastic. Never
microwave food in plastic containers. For baby, use glass or BPA-free plastic bottles.
Do you filter your tap water? Check EWG’s online tap water quality database for local
contaminants, then choose a filter that removes them, if needed.
Do you drink bottled water? Kick the habit. For water on-the-go, get a reusable water
bottle, like stainless steel (not plastic or aluminum lined with plastic).
Any canned food in the pantry? Cook with fresh or frozen whenever possible; most
food cans (including liquid infant formula) are lined with bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxic chemical
that leaches into the food.
Do you eat conventionally grown produce? Check EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to
Pesticides to be sure you buy organic when pesticide residues are highest.
Do you use iodized salt? You should. Iodine is necessary to maintain healthy thyroid
function.
Do you eat high-mercury fish? Ask before eating and head for the lower-mercury types
(especially for pregnant women and young children).
BATHROOM
Do you use air fresheners? Don’t! Most contain a number of toxic chemicals that
contaminate the air you breathe.
Is there fragrance in your personal care products? We don’t know what’s in
“fragrance,” so it’s safer to choose all fragrance-free personal-care products. Always check
ingredient lists to be sure.
What kind of toothpaste do you use? Choose fluoride-free for kids under 2 and teach
older kids to rinse and spit; fluoride is toxic if swallowed. Also, pick a paste without triclosan -
you’ll see it on the ingredient list.
Do you use liquid hand soap? If so, avoid anti-bacterials – the American Medical
Association recommends against using them at home.
What material is your shower curtain? Avoid vinyl shower curtains. If you get a new
curtain (whatever the material), leave it outside for several days before using.
Do you have extra products? Less is more. Skipping cosmetics like hair spray and
detangler, body sprays and powder is less toxic – and cheaper!
E W G A c t i o n F u n d ’ s H e a l t h y H o m e C h e c k l i s t ,
p a g e 2
ewg.org/healthy-home-tips/checklist
LAUNDRY & CLEANING CLOSET
Are your cleaners green? It’s hard to know without a full ingredient list, which most
products don’t have. Find out the ingredients by calling the manufacturer, avoid the toxic ones,
and choose green-certified products whenever possible.
Do your product labels list all ingredients? Most don’t, but they should. Support
companies that disclose all ingredients by buying their products – you have a right to know.
Do you need all those products? Most homes can be safely cleaned with a few nontoxic
ingredients: vinegar (it’s anti-bacterial), baking soda, water, a HEPA vacuum, microfiber
mops and cloths - and some elbow grease! Skip laundry products you don’t need, like dryer
sheets, fabric softener, and chlorine bleach.
ALL AROUND THE HOUSE
Was your home built before 1978? If so, it probably contains lead paint. When
repainting, use a wet sanding technique to reduce dust, choose low VOC paints and always
paint with the windows open for good ventilation. Keep kids away from rehab dust and loose
chips.
Got foam furniture? Foam products (like stuffed furniture and mattresses) are often
treated with toxic fire retardants, so keep them well-covered. Ask whether a product is
treated before you buy and choose naturally fire-resistant materials like cotton and wool,
when possible. Don’t “protect” your fabrics and carpets with sprayed on chemical coatings –
simply clean spills quickly.
Do you use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)? They contain mercury and
should be handled and disposed of with care. Use them where there’s no danger of breaking
near children; clean up broken bulbs quickly and safely.
Do you use pesticides or insecticides? Try non-toxic alternatives first; pesticides are a
last resort. If you choose to use them, store them out of reach of children. Organic gardening
is healthier for kids and pets, since they live closer to the ground.
Do you have a wood deck, picnic table or playground set? Those made before
2005 likely contain arsenic. Test to confirm and either replace with safer wood or reduce your
exposure by sealing it, replacing high-use areas and washing hands after touching, especially
before eating.
What materials are your kids’ toys made from? Top contaminants to avoid are:
lead paint, play make-up, cadmium and lead in play jewelry, and phthalates in soft plastics (like
teethers and rubber duckies). Choosing non-toxic toys for young kids is especially important
because so many end up in their mouths.
08 April 2010
Easter
We went to Myles mom's house for Easter again this year. I have so many pictures I don't even know where to start! It was a great trip. Adelaide really started walking on her own while we were there. It was so nice and relaxing. We took lots of beautiful walks along the golf course. Here are the highlights!
On the plane getting ready for take-off
First day Easter egg hunt with Grandpa Jerry
She did NOT like the Easter Bunny!
Hunting
Lots of practice walking at Granny's house.
Town square
wildlife....
Granny spoils her!
Practice walking on the grass.
Ring around the rosies
Walking in the neighborhood
Easter breakfast
Easter Dress!
Granny's bridge!
On the plane getting ready for take-off
First day Easter egg hunt with Grandpa Jerry
She did NOT like the Easter Bunny!
Hunting
Lots of practice walking at Granny's house.
Town square
wildlife....
Granny spoils her!
Practice walking on the grass.
Ring around the rosies
Walking in the neighborhood
Easter breakfast
Easter Dress!
Granny's bridge!
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